Memory system and method of controlling memory system

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a controller includes a quality measuring unit, a block classifying unit, and a multi-plane setting unit. The quality measuring unit measures quality of a block. The block classifying unit classifies the block for every plane based on a measurement result of the quality. The multi-plane setting unit selects one block belonging to the same classification from each plane and combines the blocks to generate the multi-plane.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/026,478, filed on Jul. 18, 2014; theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a memory system and amethod of controlling the memory system.

BACKGROUND

In a memory system that uses NAND type flash memory for a storagemedium, data is stored with an ECC (Error Correction Code/Error Checkingand Correction) of a predetermined length to be used for errorcorrection added to the data of a predetermined length. However,consideration is not conventionally taken on a case in which degradationin a bit error rate (hereinafter referred to as BER) of a block, whichis a unit of erase, is found.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1C are views schematically illustrating one example of aprocedure of a setting process of a multi-plane;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating one example of aconfiguration of a memory system according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating one example of aconfiguration of NAND memory;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating one example of a procedure of amulti-plane setting process according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 5A to 5D are views schematically illustrating one example of aprocedure of the multi-plane setting process according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating one example of aconfiguration of a memory system according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating one example of a procedure of amulti-plane reconfiguring process according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the procedure ofthe multi-plane reconfiguring process according to the secondembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view schematically illustrating a group according to a thirdembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating one example of classification of blocksfor every plane according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating one example of multi-plane settinginformation according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view schematically illustrating a group according to afourth embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating one example of ranking of groupsaccording to a fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, a memory system including anonvolatile memory and a controller is provided. The nonvolatile memoryincludes a plurality of planes, each of which includes a plurality ofblocks. The controller simultaneously accesses the blocks configuringthe multi-plane. The multi-plane is a set of the block selected fromeach of the plurality of planes. The controller includes a qualitymeasuring unit, a block classifying unit, and a multi-plane settingunit. The quality measuring unit measures the quality of the block. Theblock classifying unit classifies the blocks for every plane based on ameasurement result of the quality. The multi-plane setting unit selectsone block belonging to the same classification from each of the planes,and combines the blocks to form the multi-plane.

Exemplary embodiments of the memory system and the method of controllingthe memory system will be explained below in detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to thefollowing embodiments.

In the embodiments described below, when degradation of the BER of theblock is found in the memory system that uses the NAND type flash memoryfor the storage medium, a method of assigning a part of a user dataregion to an ECC region to strengthen the protection of data is used.That is, a newly assigned ECC storage region is added to the ECC storageregion of a predetermined length to set the updated ECC storage region.The reliability of the data can be thereby ensured.

Some memory systems have a multi-plane structure. In the case of themulti-plane structure, the capacity, and the like of the blocks thatform a set are synchronized as it is efficient to simultaneously carryout the recording/reproducing process on a plurality of blocks. FIGS. 1Ato 1C are views schematically illustrating one example of a procedure ofa setting process of the multi-plane. Generally, for example, the blocksexisting at the corresponding positions in each of the planes are set asthe multi-plane. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, in a memory chip 221-1, ablock BLK11 of a plane PL1, a block BLK21 of a plane PL2, a block BLK31of a plane PL3, and a block BLK41 of a plane PL4 are combined toconfigure a multi-plane A. Similarly, blocks BLK12, BLK22, BLK32, BLK42of each of the planes PL1 to PL4 are combined to configure a multi-planeB; blocks BLK13, BLK23, BLK33, BLK43 of each of the planes PL1 to PL4are combined to configure a multi-plane C; and blocks BLK14, BLK24,BLK34, BLK44 of each of the planes PL1 to PL4 are combined to configurea multi-plane D. The result is illustrated in FIG. 1B.

As illustrated in FIG. 1C, a length of the updated ECC storage region ofanother block is made the same in accordance with a block including alongest updated ECC storage region 231 in the respective multi-planes.As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the updated ECC storage region 231 exists inthe block BLK14 of the plane PL1, the block BLK24 of the plane PL2, theblock BLK32 of the plane PL3, and the block BLK44 of the plane PL4.Thus, the updated ECC storage region 231-1 is set in the multi-plane B,and the updated ECC storage region 231-2 is set in the multi-plane D.

In such method (FIG. 1C), the updated ECC storage regions 231-1, 231-2are set in the two multi-planes B, D. That is, if the updated ECCstorage region exists in at least one of the blocks forming the set,other blocks without any problems in quality that belong to the same setare also similarly synchronized for the size of the updated ECC storageregion. As a result, the capacity of the memory system is wastefullyreduced. In the illustrated example, the number of blocks in each planeis four, but in the actual product, one plane includes a few thousand ora few tens of thousands of blocks. Thus, although the wasteful capacityper one block is small, the region of a considerable amount of capacitythat is non-negligible in the entire memory system becomes a waste insuch method of configuring the multi-plane.

Hereinafter, embodiments in which the capacity does not become a wastein the memory system including the NAND memory having the multi-planestructure will be described.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment describes a case of carrying out an examination onthe quality (performance) of a block configuring each plane at the timeof production of the memory system, and combining the blocks configuringthe multi-plane based on the result.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating one example of aconfiguration of a memory system according to the first embodiment. Amemory system 20 is, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) that usesthe NAND type flash memory as a storage medium. The memory system 20 isconnected to a host device (hereinafter referred to as host) 10 such asa personal computer or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) by way of a hostinterface (host I/F) 21 such as the ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment)interface, and the like, and functions as an external storage device ofthe host 10. The host 10 is, for example, a CPU of a personal computer,or a CPU or an imaging device such as a still camera, a video camera,and the like.

The memory system 20 includes the host interface 21, NAND type flashmemory (hereinafter referred to as NAND memory) 22 serving asnonvolatile semiconductor memory, RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, whichis semiconductor memory enabling high-speed access than the NAND memory22, a NAND controller (NANDC) 24, and a controller 25.

The NAND memory 22 stores user data specified by the host 10 and backsup and stores management information managed in the RAM 23 as anonvolatile management table. The management information is a piece ofinformation that manages storage areas of the data in the NAND memory22, for example. The NAND memory 22 includes a memory cell array inwhich a plurality of memory cells is arrayed in a matrix shape. Theindividual memory cell may be configured so that multi-value storage canbe performed using an upper page and a lower page.

FIG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating one example of aconfiguration of the NAND memory. The NAND memory 22 has a packagestructure in which a plurality of memory chips 221-1 to 221-N (N is anatural number) are stacked. Each of the memory chips 221-1 to 221-N isconfigured by arraying a plurality of physical blocks BLK, each of whichis a unit of data erase. Furthermore, in the NAND memory 22, the writeof data and the readout of data are carried out for every physical pagePG. The physical block BLK is configured by a plurality of physicalpages PG.

Each physical page PG is configured by a plurality of clusters C, whichis a management unit of an address in the NAND memory 22. Each cluster Cis configured by a plurality of sectors S, which is a minimum accessunit from the host 10. Each sector S includes a data storage region Dthat stores data, and an ECC storage region E that stores ECC. In aninitial state, the size of the ECC storage region E is normally apredetermined value. However, even in the initial state, a block withdegraded quality may exist or a block which quality degrades through usemay exist in some blocks. In such a case, if the data cannot beprotected when the size of the ECC storage region E is the predeterminedvalue, the size of the ECC storage region E may be made to have a valuegreater than the predetermined value.

In the example of FIG. 3, each of the memory chips 221-1 to 221-Nincludes, for example 16 physical blocks BLK. Each of the memory chips221-1 to 221-N has four planes PL including four physical blocks BLK. Inother words, each of the memory chips 221-1 to 221-N is divided intofour so that each district includes each plane PL. The respective planesPL includes a peripheral circuit (e.g., row decoder, column decoder,page buffer, data cache, etc.) independent from each other, and cansimultaneously carry out erase/write/read by using a plane double speedmode. Each of the memory chips 221-1 to 221-N may be divided into aplurality of planes PL other than four planes. A plurality of blocks BLKother than four blocks may be arranged in each plane PL. Normally, oneplane PL includes a few thousand, a few tens of thousands, or moreblocks BLK.

The RAM 23 functions as a storage region serving as a write buffer fortemporarily saving data when writing the data from the host 10 to theNAND memory 22, a storage region for storing and updating the managementinformation such as the nonvolatile management table, a work region fortemporarily storing data read out from the NAND memory 22, and the like.

The host 10 inputs an LBA (Logical Block Addressing) serving as alogical address to the memory system 20 through the host interface 21when outputting a read request or a write request to the memory system20. The LBA is a logical address in which a running number starting fromzero is given to a sector (size: e.g., 512B).

The NANDC 24 includes a NAND I/F that carries out an interface processwith the NAND memory 22, an error correction circuit, a DMA (DirectMemory Access) controller, and the like. The NANDC 24 writes the datatemporarily stored in the RAM 23 to the NAND memory 22, and reads outthe data stored in the NAND memory 22 and transfers the data to the RAM23 based on control of the controller 25.

The function of the controller 25 is realized by a system program(firmware) stored in the NAND memory 22 and a processor that executesthe firmware. The controller 25 includes a data access unit 251, aquality measuring unit 252, a block classifying unit 253, and amulti-plane setting unit 254. The configuring elements necessary in thepresent embodiment will be described herein.

The data access unit 251 executes the write process to the NAND memory22 through a write buffer, the read process from the NAND memory 22, thedata reduction (compaction) in the NAND memory 22, and the like. Whenaccessing the NAND memory 22 in multi-plane, the block to access isselected based on the multi-plane setting information that specifies theblock to be synchronized among the plurality of planes.

The quality measuring unit 252 measures the quality of each block of theNAND memory 22 or the performance associated with the quality. Thequality of the block can be indicated by BER, access speed, number ofrewrites (number or erases) of the block, and the like. In the presentembodiment, the description will be made assuming the BER is used forthe quality of the block by way of example.

The block classifying unit 253 classifies the blocks in each plane onthe basis of the BER measured in the quality measuring unit 252. Theclassification includes sectionalizing at the range of the BER andclassifying for every group, or ranking the blocks in the plane. A caseof ranking the blocks in the plane will be described herein by way ofexample.

The multi-plane setting unit 254 combines the blocks of the same rankorder from each plane to set the multi-plane. The combination associatedwith the block is stored in the NAND memory 22, for example, as themulti-plane setting information. If the block having the BER in whichthe ECC lacks at the size (hereinafter referred to as ECC length) of thestandard ECC storage region exists in the multi-plane, the multi-planesetting unit 254 synchronizes the ECC length of all the blocks.Specifically, the multi-plane setting unit 254 changes the ECC length ofthe block of other planes in accordance with the block having thelongest ECC length in the multi-planes. The ECC length of eachmulti-plane is stored in the multi-plane setting information.

The processes by the quality measuring unit 252, the block classifyingunit 253, and the multi-plane setting unit 254 are carried out when thememory system 20 is manufactured in the factory, for example, during thequality test.

A process of setting the multi-plane at the time of production will nowbe described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating one example of aprocedure of the multi-plane setting process according to the firstembodiment, and FIGS. 5A to 5D are views schematically illustrating oneexample of a procedure of the multi-plane setting process according tothe first embodiment. In the example of FIGS. 5A to 5D, a case in whichone memory chip includes four planes PL1 to PL4, and each plane PL1 toPL4 includes four blocks will be described by way of example.

First, when the quality test of the memory system 20 is carried out inthe factory (step S11), the quality measuring unit 252 of the controller25 measures the quality (BER) for all the blocks configuring the planeof each memory chip (step S12). As a result, the ECC lacks in thestandard ECC storage region, and blocks BLK14, BLK24, BLK32, BLK44requiring the updated ECC storage region 231 including the newlyassigned ECC storage region exist, as illustrated in FIG. 5A. This isbecause the BER of each block varies at the time of production. Thewidth of the updated ECC storage region 231 in the figure visuallyindicates the proportion of the ECC storage region in the physical pageand does not indicate the position of the actual updated ECC storageregion 231.

The block classifying unit 253 ranks the blocks for every plane based onthe measurement result of the quality (step S13). For example, theblocks are ranked in the order of good quality (order of low BER). InFIG. 5B, the rank order of the blocks in each plane PL1 to PL4 isillustrated with a number in parentheses.

The block classifying unit 253 thereafter selects one block from eachplane PL1 to PL4 in the order of satisfactory ranking, that is, in theorder of good recording quality to configure the multi-plane (step S14).For example, in FIG. 5B, the block BLK1 in which the rank order in theplane PL1 is the first, the block BLK21 in which the rank order in theplane PL2 is the first, the block BLK31 in which the rank order in theplane PL3 is the first, and the block BLK41 in which the rank order inthe plane PL4 is the first are selected and combined to obtain amulti-plane A. Similarly, the blocks BLK12, BLK22, BLK34, BLK42, inwhich the rank order is the second in the respective planes PL1 to PL4,are combined to configure a multi-plane B; the blocks BLK13, BLK23,BLK33, BLK43, in which the rank order is the third in the respectiveplanes PL1 to PL4, are combined to configure a multi-plane C; and theblocks BLK14, BLK24, BLK32, BLK44, in which the rank order is the fourthin the respective planes PL1 to PL4, are combined to configure amulti-plane D. The result is illustrated in FIG. 5C. The blocksincluding the updated ECC storage region 231 are combined to set themulti-plane, and the blocks not including the updated ECC storage region231 are combined to set the multi-plane. The combination of blocksconfiguring the multi-planes A to D is stored as the multi-plane settinginformation.

Next, the updated ECC storage region is synchronized among the blocks ofthe set multi-plane (step S15). This is performed so that if thereexists a block having the quality (BER) in which the ECC length lacks atthe length set in advance, the ECC length of the block of other planesis changed in accordance with the block having the longest ECC length.The synchronization result is illustrated in FIG. 5D. In FIG. 5C, theupdated ECC storage region 231 is set in each block BLK14, BLK24, BLK32,BLK44 of the multi-plane D. The ECC length of the updated ECC storageregion 231 of the block BLK24 of the plane PL2 is the longest. Thus, theECC length of the updated ECC storage region 231 of the other blocksBLK14, BLK32, BLK44 of the multi-plane D is conformed to the longestlength of the updated ECC storage region 231 of the block BLK24. Thelength of the updated ECC storage region 231 is also stored in themulti-plane setting information. The setting process of the multi-planeis thereby terminated.

The updated ECC storage region is used for the purpose of strengtheningthe protection of data in a block with poor BER. Thus, when the updatedECC storage region is executed in the plane and if the amount is large,this means that the BER is high and the rank order is lower in theplane. In other words, in the multi-plane of high rank order, the blocksin which the ECC length of the updated ECC storage region is short orthe blocks in which the updated ECC storage region is not executed aregathered from each plane, so that the influence of capacity reduction bythe synchronization process of the updated ECC storage region becomessmall in the multi-plane in which the blocks of high rank order arecombined. In the example of FIG. 5C, one of each of the blocks BLK14,BLK24, BLK32, BLK44 in which the updated ECC storage region 231 isexecuted, exists in each plane PL1 to PL4, and such blocks are allgathered in the multi-plane D of the lowest rank order. Thesynchronization process of the updated ECC storage region 231 bymulti-plane correspondence is carried out only in the multi-plane D, andthe capacity reduction by the synchronization of the updated ECC storageregion does not occur in the remaining multi-planes A, B, C (FIG. 5D).

In the first embodiment, the quality is measured at the time ofproduction of the memory system 20 having the multi-plane structure, theblocks are ranked in each plane based on the quality, and one block ofthe same rank order is selected from each plane and combined to set themulti-plane. If the block including the updated ECC storage regionexists in each multi-plane, the length of the updated ECC storage ofother blocks in the same multi-plane is conformed to the block havingthe longest updated ECC storage region. Thus, compared to when none ofthe processes is carried out as illustrated in FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C withrespect to the updated ECC storage region, it is possible to alleviatethe wasteful capacity reduction due to the synchronization of theupdated ECC storage region.

The quality is measured at the time of production to set themulti-plane, whereby the capacity of the memory system 20 can be easilyensured and the yield can be enhanced.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the multi-plane is set based on the result ofthe quality measured at the time of the production. However, the memorycell generally wears out and the quality degrades if the memory systemis continuously used. Thus, in the second embodiment, a case ofreconfiguring the combination of the blocks configuring the multi-planeduring the use of the memory system will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating one example of aconfiguration of a memory system according to a second embodiment. Amemory system 20A further includes a multi-plane reconfiguring conditiondetection unit 255 and a reconfiguration flag storage unit 256 in acontroller 25 of the memory system 20 of the first embodiment. In thisembodiment as well, a case of using the BER for the quality will bedescribed by way of example.

The multi-plane reconfiguring condition detection unit 255 detects thecondition to become a trigger in reconfiguring the combination of theblocks configuring the multi-plane. The condition to become the triggerincludes, for example, time, recording quality, command, status,execution of updated ECC storage region with respect to block, warningby SMART (Self-Monitoring & Analysis Reporting Technology), and thelike. The multi-plane reconfiguring condition detection unit 255 turnsON the flag of the reconfiguration flag storage unit 256 when detectingthe condition to become the trigger.

In the determination using the time, for example, the timing is startedfrom the operation of the memory system 20A and whether a predeterminedperiod (one month, one year, etc.) has elapsed is determined. If apredetermined period has elapsed, the multi-plane reconfiguringcondition detection unit 255 turns ON the flag of the reconfigurationflag storage unit 256. When the flag of the reconfiguration flag storageunit 256 is turned ON, the quality measuring unit 252, the blockclassifying unit 253, and the multi-plane setting unit 254 carry out thereconfiguration of the multi-plane. After the multi-plane reconfiguringprocess, the timing is reset, so that the performance of the multi-planereconfiguring process after elapse of a predetermined period isperiodically repeated. The reconfiguration of the multi-plane is theprocess of reviewing the combination of blocks of each of the planesconfiguring the multi-plane.

In the determination using the recording quality, for example, whetheran error indicating lowering in the recording quality such as a readerror is issued during the read process by a data access unit 251 isdetermined. If the error indicating the lowering in the recordingquality is detected, the multi-plate reconfiguring condition detectionunit 255 turns ON the flag of the reconfiguration flag storage unit 256.

In the determination using the command, for example, a commandinstructing the multi-plane reconfiguration is prepared in advance, andwhether the command instructing the multi-plane reconfiguration isexecuted by the user is determined. If the command instructing themulti-plane reconfiguration is detected, the multi-plane reconfiguringcondition detection unit 255 turns ON the flag of the reconfigurationflag storage unit 256.

In the determination using the status, for example, when a statusindicating read error or read success is transmitted from NAND memory 22to the controller 25 after the read command is issued, whether thestatus of the read error is detected is determined. If the read error isdetected, the multi-plane reconfiguring condition detection unit 255turns ON the flag of the reconfiguration flag storage unit 256.

In the determination using the execution of the updated ECC storageregion with respect to the block, determination is made at the timingthe updated ECC storage region is set with respect to the block. If thesetting of the updated ECC storage region is detected, the multi-planereconfiguring condition detection unit 255 turns ON the flag of thereconfiguration flag storage unit 256.

In the determination using the warning by the SMART, the memory system20A carries out a self-diagnosis, and makes the determination using thewarning issued when a parameter associated with quality such as thetemperature, the number of writes, and the like of the current memorysystem 20A (NAND memory 22) exceeds the threshold value, as a result. Ifthe warning by the SMART is issued, the multi-plane reconfiguringcondition detection unit 255 turns ON the flag of the reconfigurationflag storage unit 256.

The flag of the reconfiguration flag storage unit 256 is turned ON bythe multi-plane reconfiguring condition detection unit 255 when thecondition to become the trigger is satisfied. When the reconfigurationflag is turned ON, the quality measuring unit 252, the block classifyingunit 253, and the multi-plane setting unit 254 carry out thereconfiguring process of the multi-plane. After the reconfiguration ofthe multi-plane is finished, the reconfiguration flag is turned OFF bythe multi-plane setting unit 254. The same reference numerals aredenoted on the configuring elements same as the first embodiment, andthe description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the process of resetting the multi-plane by the degradation ofquality involved in the use of the memory system 20A will be described.FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating one example of a procedure of themulti-plane reconfiguring process according to the second embodiment.

Assume that the memory system 20A is in a state of being used by theuser, and the multi-plane reconfiguring condition detection unit 255 isin a state of monitoring whether the condition to become the trigger forreconfiguring the multi-plane is satisfied. The multi-planereconfiguring condition detection unit 255 turns ON the reconfigurationflag of the reconfiguration flag storage unit 256 if the condition tobecome the trigger is satisfied, and holds the reconfiguration flag ofthe reconfiguration flag storage unit 256 turned OFF if the condition tobecome the trigger is not satisfied.

The quality measuring unit 252 determines whether the reconfigurationflag of the reconfiguration flag storage unit 256 is turned ON (stepS31). If the reconfiguration flag is turned OFF (No in step S31), themulti-plane reconfiguration may not be carried out and a waiting statemay be continued until the reconfiguration flag is turned ON.

If the reconfiguration flag is turned ON (Yes in step S31), the qualitymeasuring unit 252 carries out the BER measurement for each plane (stepsS32-1, S32-2, . . . , S32-n (n is a natural number, and is the number ofplanes)).

Next, the block classifying unit 253 performs ranking based on themeasurement result of the BER in each plane (steps S33-1 to S33-n).Thereafter, the multi-plane setting unit 254 changes the grouping of themulti-planes in each plane based on the ranking (steps S34-1 to S34-n).In this case, the block of the own plane configuring the multi-plane ofa certain rank order is changed based on the ranking, and thesynchronization process of the ECC storage region at the relevant timepoint is also carried out. The multi-plane setting information isupdated with such content.

Subsequently, whether or not the grouping is completed in all the planesis determined (step S35). The processes of the steps S32-x to S34-x (xis a natural number between 1 and n) in each plane are notsimultaneously executed. Thus, whether the grouping process is finishedin all the planes can be determined by, for example, recording the planein which the grouping is completed.

If the grouping is not completed in all the planes (No in step S35), thewaiting state is continued until the grouping is completed in all theplanes. If the grouping is completed in all the planes (Yes in stepS35), on the other hand, the multi-plane setting unit 254 turns OFF thereconfiguration flag of the reconfiguration flag storage unit 256 (stepS36), and terminates the reconfiguring process.

Therefore, a case of performing the grouping of the multi-planes forevery plane has been described, but the grouping of the multi-planes maybe performed at once after the ranking of all the planes is completed.FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the procedure ofthe multi-plane reconfiguring process according to the secondembodiment.

Similar to the steps S31 to S33-n of FIG. 7, when the reconfigurationflag is turned ON, the quality measuring unit 252 carries out the BERmeasurement for each plane, and the block classifying unit 253 carriesout ranking in each plane based on the measurement result of the BER(steps S51 to S53-n).

Thereafter, the multi-plane setting unit 254 determines whether or notthe ranking is completed in all the planes (step S54). If the ranking isnot completed in all the planes (No in step S54), the waiting state iscontinued until the ranking is completed in all the planes. If theranking is completed in all the planes (Yes in step S54), on the otherhand, the multi-plane setting unit 254 carries out the grouping of themulti-planes based on the rank order in all the planes (step S55). Thegrouping is a process of assuming the blocks of the same rank order ineach plane as one multi-plane, as described in the first embodiment.Furthermore, the synchronization process of making the ECC length thesame as the block having the longest ECC length in one multi-plane isalso carried out. The multi-plane setting information for a newmulti-plane is thereby stored.

Thereafter, the multi-plane setting unit 254 turns OFF thereconfiguration flag of the reconfiguration flag storage unit 256 (stepS56), and terminates the reconfiguring process.

In this method, the grouping process of the multi-planes is carried outonly once, and hence the burden on the controller 25 can be alleviated.In the method of FIG. 7, the grouping of the multi-planes can be changedin order from the plane in which the ranking is completed withoutwaiting for all the ranking to be completed. In other words, the waitingtime until all the ranking is completed can be reduced. The measurementof the quality and the ranking in each plane in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 aredesirably processed in the background so as not to influence the normaloperation in the memory system 20A.

In the second embodiment, after the memory system 20A is used by theuser, the quality is measured at a predetermined timing, and themulti-planes are grouped based on the result. Thus, even if the qualityis deteriorated with the use of the memory system 20A, the blocks inwhich the quality deteriorated can be re-combined as the multi-plane. Asa result, the capacity reduction by the synchronization of the updatedECC storage region during the use of the memory system is alleviated,and the lifespan of the memory system can be extended.

Third Embodiment

In the first and second embodiments, the configuration orreconfiguration of the multi-planes is carried out based on the rankingcarried out with respect to the blocks in each plane. In the thirdembodiment, a case of classifying the blocks into a plurality of groupsrather than ranking the blocks in each plane in the configuration or thereconfiguration of the multi-plane will be described by way of example.

The configuration of the memory system according to the third embodimentis similar to the configuration described in the first embodiment or thesecond embodiment, but differs in the processes of the block classifyingunit 253 and the multi-plane setting unit 254. The block classifyingunit 253 classifies the block in each plane to a plurality of groupsbased on the quality measured by the quality measuring unit 252. Theplurality of groups is defined by quality. The plurality of groups isranked according to the defined quality.

FIG. 9 is a view schematically illustrating a group according to thethird embodiment. In the example illustrated in the figure, the group isclassified into four. The quality is represented in four stages, forexample, where the quality is higher the greater the numerical value.The first group is a group in which the quality belongs to 1, the secondgroup is a group in which the quality belongs to 2, the third group is agroup in which the quality belongs to 3, and the fourth group is a groupin which the quality belongs to 4. In the groups classified in suchmanner, the quality degrades from the first group toward the fourthgroup. Thus, rank orders are given to the groups. FIG. 9 merelyillustrates one example, and the quality can be more finely classified,and the quality to be classified to each group can be arbitrarily set.

The multi-plane setting unit 254 basically sets the multi-plane bycombining the blocks selected from the same group in each plane, andsynchronizes the ECC length if the updated ECC storage region is set.FIG. 10 is a view illustrating one example of the classification ofblocks for every plane according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 11 isa view illustrating one example of the multi-plane setting informationaccording to the third embodiment. Using a table classified from thefirst group to the fourth group in each plane illustrated in FIG. 10,one block in the same group is selected from each plane. As illustratedin FIG. 11, the selected blocks are grouped as the multi-plane. Thevariation in the quality among the blocks in the same group is within apredetermined range, and the wasteful reduction in the capacity of thedata region can be suppressed even if the ECC length is made the same asthe block of the longest ECC length when the updated ECC storage regionis set.

The configuring process or the reconfiguring process of the multi-planein this case is similar to the process described in the first or secondembodiment. In the first or second embodiment, however, one blocks ofthe same rank order in each plane are combined to configure themulti-plane, whereas in the third embodiment, the block selected fromthe group of the same rank order in each plane are combined to configurethe multi-plane.

In the third embodiment, each of the blocks is grouped based on thequality measured by the quality measuring unit 252, and the one blockselected from the group in the same rank order in each plane arecombined to configure the multi-plane. Thus, all the blocks do not needto be ranked in each plane as in the first and second embodiments,whereby an effect in that the process by the block classifying unit 253can be reduced compared to the first and second embodiments can beobtained in addition to the effects of the first and second embodiments.

Fourth Embodiment

In the third embodiment, a case of classifying the blocks in each planeinto a plurality of groups has been described by way of example, but inthe fourth embodiment, a case of grouping only the blocks in which thequality is lower than or equal to a predetermined value of the blocks ineach plane will be described by way of example.

The configuration of the memory system according to the fourthembodiment is similar to the configuration described in the firstembodiment or the second embodiment, but differs in the processes of ablock classifying unit 253 and a multi-plane setting unit 254. The blockclassifying unit 253 classifies the block, in which the quality of theblock measured by a quality measuring unit 252 is lower than or equal toa predetermined value, as a deteriorated group. That is, the fourthembodiment can be assumed as a case of classifying the blocks in oneplane into two groups of the deteriorated group and the other groups.

FIG. 12 is a view schematically illustrating the group according to thefourth embodiment. As illustrated in the figure, the block in which thequality (e.g., BER) of each block is lower than or equal to apredetermined value is classified as the deteriorated group. In FIG. 9,the block in which the quality is 4 is classified as the deterioratedgroup.

The multi-plane setting unit 254 basically combines the block selectedfrom the same group in each plane to set the multi-plane andsynchronizes the ECC length, similar to the description made in thethird embodiment. That is, when selecting a block from the deterioratedgroup in a certain plane, a block is also selected from the deterioratedgroup in other planes to configure the multi-plane. When selecting ablock from other than the deteriorated group in a certain plane, a blockis also selected from other than the deteriorated group in other planesto configure the multi-plane.

Thus, the blocks with deteriorated quality can be combined to configurethe multi-plane, whereby the capacity of the data region that becomes awaste can be reduced compared to the multi-plane in which the block withdeteriorated quality and the block with normal quality coexist.

The configuring process or the reconfiguring process of the multi-planein this case is similar to that described in the first or secondembodiment. As described above, the blocks of the same rank in eachplane are combined to configure the multi-plane in the first or secondembodiment, whereas in the fourth embodiment, if a block is selectedfrom the deteriorated group in a certain plane, a block is also selectedfrom the deteriorated group in other planes and if a block is selectedfrom other than the deteriorated group in a certain plane, a block isalso selected from other than the deteriorated group in other planes inthe multi-plane configuration.

The fourth embodiment has effects similar to the third embodiment.

Fifth Embodiment

In the first and second embodiments, a case of using the BER for thequality has been described, but this is not the sole case. For example,the readout speed or the write speed may be used for the quality. Withrespect to the readout speed or the write speed, the readout or thewrite takes time if the quality of the NAND memory is deteriorated.Thus, the readout speed (readout time) or the write speed (write time)can be used as an index that indicates quality.

The number of rewrites (number of erases) of each block may be used forthe quality. The number of rewrites is managed for every blockconfiguring NAND memory 22, where the block is selected from each planeand combined to configure the multi-plane, as described in the first tofourth embodiments, with the number of rewrites as a reference.

Generally, the quality (performance) tends to deteriorate the greaterthe number of rewrites in the NAND memory 22. Thus, the degree ofdeterioration of the quality of the NAND memory 22 can be estimated fromthe number of rewrites by researching in advance the number ofrewrites—quality relational information indicating the relationship ofthe number of rewrites and the degree of deterioration in the quality ofthe NAND memory 22. The number of rewrites is managed in the managementinformation for every block, as described above, and thus the qualityfor every block can be known by using the number of rewrites for everyblock in the management information and the number of rewrites—qualityrelational information. The configuration or the reconfiguration of themulti-plane can be carried out through the methods described in thefirst to fourth embodiments.

Furthermore, the parameter (BER, readout speed, write speed, etc.)indicating the quality and the number of rewrites of the NAND memory 22may be combined to perform the ranking of the groups for classifyingeach block. FIG. 13 is a view illustrating one example of the ranking ofthe groups by the fifth embodiment. As illustrated in the figure, thehorizontal axis indicates quality (e.g., BER) and the vertical axisindicates number of rewrites. The quality is classified to four stages,and the number of rewrites is also classified to four stages. Thecombination of the quality and the number of rewrites is classified intofour groups as illustrated in the figure. Thus, even if the quality is ahigh quality of 1, for example, the rank order is the second rank orderif the number of rewrites is 10⁴ to 10⁵ times, and the rank order is thethird rank order if the number of rewrites is 10⁵ or more. Thus, theranking corresponding to the actual usage situation can be carried outby combining the quality and the number of rewrites.

The fifth embodiment also has effects similar to the first to fourthembodiments.

In the embodiments described above, the NAND memory 22 is configured bya plurality of multi-planes classified according to the quality. If theBER is used for the quality, low BER means fast access speed (readoutspeed and write speed). Thus, a data access unit 251 of a controller 25may write the frequently accessed data to the multi-plane of low BER.Alternatively, the data access unit 251 may prevent the frequentlyaccessed data from being written to the multi-plane having a quality oflower than or equal to at least a predetermined value. Thus, the accesstime of the frequently accessed data can be prevented from beingcarelessly long.

In the description made above, the plane and the multi-plane have beendescribed. However, the plane merely needs to be, at the very least, oneof the plurality of groups that can be accessed simultaneously and inparallel in the NAND memory 22. The multi-plane merely needs to be acollection of access units selected one from each of the plurality ofgroups.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A memory system comprising: a nonvolatile memoryincluding a plurality of planes, each of the planes including aplurality of blocks; and a controller configured to simultaneouslyaccess blocks configuring a multi-plane, the multi-plane being a set ofone block selected from each of the plurality of planes; wherein thecontroller includes, a quality measuring unit configured to measure aquality of the block, a block classifying unit configured to classifythe blocks for every plane based on a measurement result of the quality,and a multi-plane setting unit configured to select one block belongingto the same classification from each plane and combines the blocks togenerate a multi-plane.
 2. The memory system according to claim 1,wherein the multi-plane setting unit synchronizes a size of an errorcorrection code among the blocks in the multi-plane.
 3. The memorysystem according to claim 1, wherein the block classifying unit ranksthe blocks in each plane based on the measurement result; and themulti-plane setting unit selects the blocks having the same rank orderfrom each plane to generate the multi-plane.
 4. The memory systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the block classifying unit classifies theblocks in each plane into a plurality of groups based on the measurementresult; and the multi-plane setting unit selects one block belonging tothe same group from each plane to generate the multi-plane.
 5. Thememory system according to claim 4, wherein the group is ranked by thequality.
 6. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the qualityis BER, access speed, or number of rewrites of the block.
 7. The memorysystem according to claim 5, wherein the ranking of the group by thequality is carried out based on a combination of the BER and the numberof rewrites of the block, or on a combination of the access speed andthe number of rewrites of the block.
 8. The memory system according toclaim 1, wherein a setting process of the multi-plane by the qualitymeasuring unit, the block classifying unit, and the multi-plane settingunit is executed in manufacturing of the memory system.
 9. The memorysystem according to claim 1, wherein the controller further includes areconfiguring condition detection unit configured to detect a conditionperforming reconfiguration of the multi-plane; and the quality measuringunit, the block classifying unit, and the multi-plane setting unitexecute a configuring process of the multi-plane, when the conditionperforming the reconfiguration of the multi-plane is detected by thereconfiguring condition detection unit.
 10. The memory system accordingto claim 9, wherein the reconfiguring condition detection unit detects,as the condition performing the reconfiguration of the multi-plane,elapse of a predetermined time, lowering in a recording quality of thenonvolatile memory, command instructing the reconfiguration of themulti-plane, status indicating an access error transmitted after anaccess command is issued, execution of assignment of a new ECC storageregion with respect to the block, or warning by self-diagnosis.
 11. Amemory system comprising: a nonvolatile memory including a plurality ofplanes, each of the planes including a plurality of; and a controllerconfigured to simultaneously access blocks that are included in amulti-plane, the multi-plane being a set of one block selected from eachof at least two or more planes based on a quality of the plurality ofblocks that are included in each of the plurality of planes.
 12. Amethod of controlling a memory system including, a nonvolatile memoryincluding a plurality of planes, each of the planes including aplurality of blocks; and a controller configured to simultaneouslyaccess blocks configuring a multi-plane, the multi-plane being a set ofone block selected from each of the plurality of planes; the controlmethod comprising: measuring a quality of the block, classifying theblocks for every plane based on a measurement result of the quality,selecting one block belonging to the same classification from eachplane, and combining the selected blocks to generate a multi-plane. 13.The method of controlling the memory system according to claim 12,further comprising: synchronizing a size of an error correction codeamong the blocks in the multi-plane after the generation of themulti-plane.
 14. The method of controlling the memory system accordingto claim 12, wherein in the classification of the blocks, the blocks areranked in each plane based on the measurement result; and in thegeneration of the multi-plane, the blocks having the same rank order areselected from each plane to generate the multi-plane.
 15. The method ofcontrolling the memory system according to claim 12, wherein in theclassification of the blocks, the blocks in each plane are classifiedinto a plurality of groups based on the measurement result; and in thegeneration of the multi-plane, one block belonging to the same group isselected from each plane to generate the multi-plane.
 16. The method ofcontrolling the memory system according to claim 15, wherein the groupis ranked by the quality.
 17. The method of controlling the memorysystem according to claim 12, wherein the quality is BER, access speed,or number of rewrites of the block.
 18. The method of controlling thememory system according to claim 12, wherein the measurement of thequality, the classification of the block, and the generation of themulti-plane are executed in manufacturing of the memory system.
 19. Themethod of controlling the memory system according to claim 12, furthercomprising: detecting a condition performing reconfiguration of themulti-plane; wherein the measurement of the quality, the classificationof the block, and the generation of the multi-plane are executed, whendetected that the condition is satisfied, and in the generation of themulti-plane, grouping of the blocks of the corresponding plane in themulti-plane is changed in order from the plane in which theclassification of the block in the plane is completed.
 20. The method ofcontrolling the memory system according to claim 12, further comprising:detecting a condition performing reconfiguration of the multi-plane;wherein the measurement of the quality, and the classification of theblock are executed, when detected that the condition is satisfied, andthe generation of the multi-plane is executed when the classification ofthe blocks is completed in all the planes in the classification of theblocks.